Tag Archives: Myth

Albert Camus wrote the book Myth of Sisyphus. The myth of Sisyphus is an endless toil of pushing the boulder up on top of the mountain. As soon as he is closer to the top, the rock rolls down to … Continue reading →

Since February is black history month, I am sharing this interesting piece of article I read at our local newspaper, Metro News.

Slavery never existed in Canada, right?

Portrait of a Negro slave

FACT: Many Canadians are under the assumption that slavery never existed in Canada (or not at the same levels found in the U.S.), which is false. The first recorded slave to arrive in Canada was a six-year-old boy named Olivier le Jeune from Madagascar in 1628. Most slaves were imported from other British colonies and the Americas.

Was Canada the first country to abolish slavery before other parts of the world followed suit?

FACT: Although slavery in Canada was officially abolished in 1833 politicians enacted legislation in 1793 that would set limitations on slavery in the country. The bill meant slaves would secure their freedom at 25 if born a slave, which was no help to most since the average lifespan of a slave was 20 to 25 years.

Weren’t all black slaves who escaped to Canada from the U.S. afforded all the civil liberties enjoyed by other European Canadians?

FACT: Despite the warm and fuzzy images and scenes displayed in most current-day slave narratives, black slaves who escaped to Canada faced discrimination, violence and segregation. Unlike racist laws that were found in the U.S. (think: Jim Crow), Canada had largely unwritten racist codes, which many could argue made it more difficult for black people in Canada.

Slaves who escaped north lived out the rest of their lives in Canada

FACT: Some former slaves left Canada for the U.S. once slavery was abolished in America to escape difficulties in Canada and for chances at upward mobility afforded to them by moving to cities with higher black populations. Entire generations of black Canadians were completely lost to Canadian history by moving to the U.S.

January is the first month of the Roman calendar. In 153 BC, the Romans created a mythical King Janus as the head of the Roman calendar. He had two faces, one to see the past and one to see the future. And my guess, the Romans started this tradition.

These are the pleasures I get in making a new year’s resolution:

I love to dream

no intention of fulfilling it

on telling people what I resolve to do

on hearing them say “Good on you”

It’s satisfaction guaranteed.

How can I resolve to stop eating chocolates when I still have so much left-over from Christmas and still eating them? The stores have started displaying the valentine chocolates already.